Foldable reclining article of furniture



Oct. 16, 1951 A, LQRENZ 2,571,463

FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet1 x6 I4 66 i0 62 Oct. 1s, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,571,463

FOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed nay 22. 1945 5 sheds-sheet2 fa: e2

/44 INVENTOR ,4mm/v off/vz @WT-Z ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1951 A. LORENZFOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE 5 sheets-sheet s Filed lay 22.1945 mvENTon BY ATToRNEY OC. 16, A QRENZ FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE OFFURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filedl llay 22. 1945 ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1951A, L QRENZ 2,571,463

FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed llay 22, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ,4A/70N [Ufff/VZ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1951UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 9Claims.

My invention relates to chairs, and more particularly to foldablereclining chairs, wherein the back-rest and the seat form two members ofa polygonal link-system swingably mounted on a support. wherein acontrolling mechanism is provided for controlling the movements of thepivotally interconnected members of the polygonal link-system during amovement from one position into another one when the chair is set up.and wherein said polygonal link-system and said support are foldable, sothat the chair may be collapsed.

An object of my invention is to provide a foldable reclining chair ofabove described type, which may be readily collapsed or set up in itsentireness by gripping the back-rest and the seat and does not requireany separate manipulation for collapsing or setting up the support.

A further object of my invention is to provide a foldable recliningchair oi! above described time. wherein the principal elements oi' themechd anism controlling the movements oi' the members of the polygonallink-system are concealed by other parts of the chair.

Another object oi' my invention is to provide a foldable reclining chairof above described type, wherein the movable members of the chair arevery well balanced, so that an occupant resting in the chair may bringthe movable members of the chair from one position into another positionwithout great eifort.

Still another object of my invention is to improve upon foldablereclining chairs now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofvarious devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof,certain embodiments of the same being described in the specii'lcationand being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of thisspecification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a foldable reclining chairaccording to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an arm-rest or topconnecting link of the chair shown in Fig. i, in an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view oi' the chair shown in Fig. l, aportion of the cushion shown in said Fig. 3 being broken away,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the chair shown in Fig. i,taken on line I-I of Fig. 1, in an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of thechair shown in Fig. 1,taken on line B-B oi Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view oi' the chair shown in Fig. 1,taken on line 6-8 of Fig. 1, in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the chair, partly in section,similar to that shown in Fig.,l, wherein, however, the movable membersof the chair are in the extreme reclined position,

Figs. 9-12 are diagrammatical illustrations of the chair shown in Fig.1, illustrating various steps during the collapsing and setting up ofthe chair,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional viewr of a differentembodiment of an arm-rest or top connecting link of a chair according tothe invention,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an arm-rest and adifferent embodiment of the upper portion of the uprights of a chairaccording to the invention,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodimentof an arm-rest of a chair according to the invention, taken on lineIB-Ii of Fig. 16,

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line IB-IE of Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line i'l-Il of Fig. 15,

Fig. 18 illustrates a different embodiment of a connecting slide elementof the chair provided with a spring stop for holding the back-rest inits position, partly in section,

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view o! 'a modification ofthe arm-rest and the controlling slide element shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a roller connectionbetween the arm-rest and the back-rest of a chairv according to theinvention,

Fig. 2l is a sectional view taken on line 2I-2I of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of a diii'erent embodiment of a.toldable reclining chair, according to the invention,

Figs. 23 and 24 are diagrammatical illustrations of two steps during thecollapsing of the chair shown in Fig..22, and

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a dierent embodimentof the upper portion of the uprights of a chair according to theinvention.

Referring now'to Fiss. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, 1li gen- 3 erally indicates thefoldable support of a foldnble reclining chair according to theinvention. Said support 28 comprises a rear upright or leg 22 on eachside of the chair, said rear uprights or legs heilig rigidly connectedwith each other by .f1 bracing element 24. In the embodiment shown inthe drawings, said rear uprights 22 and bracing element 24 are of aU-shaped member made of tubular material, but it is understood that therear uprights may be built and may be connected with each other in adifferent manner. Fui'- thermore, said support 28 comprises a frontupright or leg 26 on each side of the chair, said f front uprights orlegs being connected with each other by a bracing element 28. In theembodiment shown in the drawings, said front uprights 26 and bracingelement 28 are made of a U-shaped member of tubular material, but it isunderstood that the front uprights may be built and may be connectedwith each other in a different manner. Each of the front uprights 26 hasa pair of extensions 30 at its upper end, said extensions forming afork. The extensions 30 are bent at an angle to the longitudinal axis ofthe front upright 26 and are pivoted to the rear upright 22 at 32. sothat the front upright 26 may swing about the axis 32. A shoulder 34 isformed at the upper end of the front upright 26 between the extensionsor arms 30. Said shoulder 34 fo'rms an abutment for engagement with therear upright 22 when the rear and front uprights are in the spreadposition shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, so that the rear and front uprightsare automatically stopped in said spread position, when the chair is setup. On the other hand, as will be readily understood, said stop means 34do not require a separate unlocking manipulation, when the chair is tobe collapsed.

36 indicates the frame of tubular material of a back-rest having a lug38 at its lower end on each side of the chair. As best shown in Fig. 3 aseries of spring loaded steel bands 48 or the like is stretched betweenthe side frames of the back-rest, 36 for supporting a cushion 42 (shownin said Fig. 3 but not shown in the other iigures of the drawings).

44 indicates a seat comprising two side bars of tubular materialconnected with each other by a stirrup 46 and a cross-bar 48 forming ahandle for an operation to be described hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 5,spring-loaded steel bands 58 are stretched between the side bars of theseat to support the cushion 42 shown in Fig. 3. 'I'he rear end of theseat 44 is pivoted to the lugs 38 of the back-rest and to the rearuprights 22 at 52.

54 indicates the U-shaped frame of tubular material of a leg-rest,pivoted to the front end of the seat 44 at 56. As shown in Fig. 3,springloaded steel bands 58 stretched between the side bars of theleg-rest 54 serve to carry the cushion 42.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the leg-rest 54 hason each side of the chair a flattened extension 6U rigidly connectedwith the frame of the leg-rest. Said ilattened extension 68 forms afront connecting link plvoted at its lower portion to the front portionof the seat 44 at 56 and operatively connected with the leg-rest 54 forcontrolling the movements thereof about the pivot 56 in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter.

A top connecting link generally indicated by 62 is arranged on each sideof the chair. The front end of said top connecting link is bentdownwardly, and pivoted to the upper end of the front connecting link 68at 64. As best shown in Figs. l, 2, 4, 6, '7 and 8, each top connectinglink 62 is made of a hollow tubular material. A wooden bar 66 resting ontop of the top connecting link and providing the chair with an arm-restis secured to brackets 66 of the top connecting link 62 by screws 18. Aportion of the top connecting link 62 is provided with a longitudinalslot 12 at its lower part. As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8, a ring 14having a bore 16 is inserted into the rear end of the top connectinglink 62. Said ring 14 forming a stop or abutment for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter is secured to the wall of the top connecting linkby any suitable means (not shown). Likewise, a ring or stop 18 having athreaded bore 88 is placed into and secured to the top connecting link62 near the end of the longitudinal slot 12. A guiding element orguiding rod 82 passing through the bore 16 of the ring 14 is threadedinto the threaded bore of said ring 16. Thus, said guiding rod 82 isarranged within the hollow portion of the top connecting link and isconcealed by the wall of the top connecting link. A rear connecting link84 has a bore 86 for slidable engagement with said guiding rod 82. Themain portion of said rear connecting link 84 is concealed, but a part ofsaid rear connecting link passes through the slot 12 of the topconnecting link and is pivoted to the backrest 36 at 8B. Thus, the axisof said bore 86 or shiftable connection between the rear connecting linkand the guiding rod of the top connecting link is eccentric to thepivotal connection 88 between the rear connecting link and the backrest.

Above described back-rest 36, seat 44, and pair of connecting links 68,62 form a quadrilateral link-system on each side of the chair. Saidquadrilateral link-system is swingably mounted on the rea;` uprights 22for movement about the axis of the pivot 52 on each side of the chair.

When the chair is set up as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the movements of themembers 36, 44, 68, 82 of said quadrilateral link-system are controlledby the following controlling mechanism: On each side of the chair acontrolling slide element lll having a bore 92 (see Fig. 4) receivingthe guiding rod 82 slidably receives said guiding rod. The main portionof said controlling slide element or controlling link is concealed bythe wall of the top connecting link 62. A portion of said slide elementor controlling link 98 passing through and projecting from the slot 12has a. bore 84 for swingable engagement with a pivot 96 or the likemounted on a iiattened upward extension 98 of the rear upright 22. Whenthe chair is set up, on each side of the chair the rear connecting linkor connecting slide block 84 is in engagement with the stop 14 as shownin Fig. 1. When the occupant, resting in the chair, leans the weight ofhis body against the back-rest 36. the latter swings about the pivot 52and at the same time the guiding rod 82 operatively connected with theback-rest 36 through the connecting slide block 84, ring 14, topconnecting link 62, and ring 18 is drawn through the bore of thecontrolling slide block 98. Said controlling slide block 90 swings aboutthe pivot 96 and controls at the same time the movements of the membersof the quadrilateral link-system, so that said members may be broughtinto the extreme reclined position limited by the engagement o! the stop18 with the front edge of the controlling slide block Il as shown inFig. 6. At the same time, the front connecting link 66 rigidly connectedwith the leg-rest 64 swings the latter about its pivot 66 from theposition shown in Fig. 1 into the substantially horizontal positionshown in Fig. 6. The movable members oi the chair may be readilyreturned from the extreme reclined position shown in Fig. 8 into thesitting position shown in Fig. 1 by a slight pressure of the legs of theoccupant against the legrest 64. The sitting position is limited by theengagement of the stirrup I6 with a cross angle bar IBB arranged betweenthe front uprights 2B. As shown in Fig. 5. the stirrup I6 contacts thecross angle bar IBB substantially in the center of the chair, so thatthe clothes of the occupant cannot be caught in between the elementslimiting the sitting position. During the movement of the movablemembers of the chair from the sitting position into a reclined positionand vice versa. the connecting slide block or rear connecting link 64Iremains in engagement with the stop or abutment 14, so that the topconnecting link 62 is positively coupled with said rear connecting link64.

The above described concealed arrangement ol the guiding rod 62 and themain portions oi the connecting slide block Bl and controlling slideblocks 9B on each side of the chair makes a nice and attractiveappearance of the chair.

In order to hold the movable members of the chair in any desiredcomfortable position, the following locking device is arranged on thechair. As best shown in Figs. l and 4, one of the controlling slideelements BB is in the shape of a clip. The pivot 96 passing through thebores 94 of the ends IB2 of the clip BB has a head IBC resting againstthe extension 9B of the rear upright 22. The pivot 96 is prevented fromrotation by its square portion IB6 engaged with a corresponding squareopening oi the extension 96. A bushing IBB surrounding the pivot B6 isinterposed between one end III2 of the clip 9B and a locking knob I IIIscrewed on the threaded end of the pivot B6. Said locking knob IIB has abore III in engagement with the cylindrical portion I I3 of a screw II5threaded into a threaded bore of said threaded end of the pivot B6. Whenthe locking knob IIB is in the locking position shown in Fig. 4, thehead III oi' said screw IIB is at a distance from the shoulder IIIformed in the bore I I I of the locking knob IIB. When the locking knobIIB is loosened, so that the shoulder IIB is moved to the lett hand asviewed in Fig. 4, the shoulder IIB may come into engagement with thehead I Il of the screw I I6, whereby an undesired removal of the lockingknob IIB from the pivot 96 is prevented. When the locking knob lill isloosened and the shoulder IIS engages the head II'I of the screw asmentioned above, the clip 9B may be freely moved relative to the guidingrod 82. so that the movable members ot the chair may be brought from oneposition into another one. When the locking knob IIB is tightened, thebushing IBB is pressed against the end IB2 of the clip 9B, whereby thelatter is tightened on the guiding rod 62, so that, in turn, the movablemembers of the chair are held in their position.

As best shown in Figs. l and 4 an actuatins element or pin I I2 securedto the seat M projects therefrom for a temporary engagement with thefront upright 26 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Preferably,said actuating element II2 is provided with a roller Ill rotatably chairis set up. said pin II2 is disengaged from the front upright 26 so as toprevent free swinging movements of the seat 4l from the position shownin Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 8 and vice versa.

When it is desired to collapse the chair, the following operations arecarried out: 'I'he locking device IIB is loosened, and the movablemembers o! the chair are brought into the sitting position shown in Fig.l. Then, the chair is gripped by hand at the upper end of the back-restand at the handle 4B, which may be reached through an opening IIB in thecushion (see Fig. 3). When, after gripping the chair at the back-restand the handle I8 the chair is moved into the position shown in Fig. 9by swinging the chair about the lower end o! the rear upright 22 whichremains in contact with the ground, the front upright 26 swingsautomatically by its own weight from the position shown in Fig. l intothe position shown in Fig. 9, wherein it comes in contact with theactuating pin II2. while the connecting slide block B4 remains incontact with the stop 1l. During a further folding oi the chair, theback-rest 36 starts to swing about the pivot 62 while the connectingslide block 64 is disengaged from the stop Il and moves along theguiding rod of the top connecting link 62, as shown in Fig. l0. When thefolding of the chair is continued, the back-rest 36 is further swungabout the pivot 52 and the seat M starts to swing about the pivot 52,whereby the actuating pin I I2 slides along the front upright 26 andpermits a further swinging of the latter by its own weight about thepivot 62, until the members of the chair reach the collapsed positionshown in Fig. 11. As will be readily understood, there is no separatemanipulation necessary for bringing the rear and front uprights 22 and26 of the support into the collapsed position. The above describedgripping of the back-rest and seat at the two specied points causes anautomatic collapsing o1' all elements oi the chair including the rearand front uprights of the support.

In order to set up the chair, the collapsed chair is gripped at theupper end of the back-rest and at the handle 46 as shown in Fig. 1l. Thelower end of the rear upright 22 is placed on the ground. and the seat Mis swung downward about the pivot 62. During this swinging movement ofthe seat 44, the actuating pin I I2 contacts the front upright 26 andbrings same automatically into the spread position shown in Fig. i0.Furthermore, the back-rest 36 is swung about the pivot 62 into theposition shown in said Fig. 10. Then, the entire chair is swung aboutthe lower end of the rear upright 22 until the iront upright 26 hits theground as shown in full lines in Fig. l2. Furthermore, the back-rest B6is swung about the pivot 62 whereby the connecting slide block Il comesinto engagement with the stop Il as shown in Fig. 12. Now, the weight ofthe chair or a slight pressure down on the black-rest I6 causes asliding of the lower end of the rear upright 22 along the ground with asimultaneous swinging of the i'ront upright 26 about its lower endcontacting the ground, so that the rear and front uprights oi the chairare brought automatically into the fully spread position shown in dashand dot lines, which corresponds to the spread position shown in Fig. 1and is limited by the shoulder Il of the front upright 2lcontactingtberearuprightu. Aswillbereadily understood, the setting up ofthe chair does not require any other manipulation in addition to thegripping oi' the chair at the two points specied above.

Moreover, as will be apparent from above, the shiftable connectionbetween the top connecting link 62 and the rear connecting link 34permits a collapsing and setting up of the link-system of the chair. Thestop 14 mounted on the rear end of the top connecting link 62 formsmeans associated with said shiftable connection for converting same intoa positive coupling when the link-system of the set-up chair is underload, whereby a constrained link-mechanism with controlled movements ofits movable links is formed.

Fig. 13 illustrates a different embodiment of the top connecting link,which may be substituted for the top connecting link shown in Figs. l, 2and 8. According to Fig. 13 the top connecting link generally indicatedby 62a comprises a front portion |20l the front end of which is pivotedto the front connecting link (not shown) and the rear end of which isprovided with a ilange |22. A block or limiting element 18a having athreaded bore 30a is secured to said flange |22 by screws |24, and thefront end of an armrest 66a is secured to said block 18a by a screw |23.A block or limiting element 14a having a bore 16a is secured to the rearend of said armrest 56a by a screw |28. The threaded end of the guidingrod 82 passing through the bore 16a is screwed into the threaded bore aof the block 13a. In the same manner as described above in connectionwith Figs. 1, 2 and 8 the connecting slide block 84 slidably engagedwith the guiding rod 82 is pivoted to the back-rest 3G at 88.Furthermore, the controlling slide block 90 pivoted at 96 to theextension of the rear upright (not shown) is slidably engaged with saidguiding rod 82. As will be readily understood, according to theembodiment shown in Fig. 13, the guiding rod 82 and the slide blocksengaged therewith are not concealed.

Fig. 14 illustrates a diierent embodiment of the upper portion of therear upright 22h and front upright 2Gb, which may be substituted for therear and front uprights of the chair shown in Figs. l and 7. Accordingto Fig. 14 the upper end of the rear upright 22h has a longitudinal slot|30, and the upper end of the front upright 26h has a single extensionor arm 30h passing through said slot |30 and extending into the hollowportion of the rear upright 22h. The extension or arm 30h is pivoted tothe rear upright 22h at 32h. The flattened end of the front upright 26hforming said arm 30h is provided with a shoulder 34h abutting againstthe rear upright 22h when the rear and front uprights are in the spreadposition. Furthermore, contrary to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and7, the upper end of the rear upright 22h shown in Fig. 14 is stiaightand has no upward extension arranged at an angle to the longitudinalaxis of the rear upright. Instead of such an upward extension of therear upright, the portion of the controlling slide element 90bprojecting from the slot 12 of the top connecting link G2 is of a largerdimension than the corresponding portion of the controlling slideelement 90 shown in Figs. 1 and '7. According to Fig. 14, thecontrolling slide element 30h slidably engaged with the guiding rod 82is pivoted to the upper end of the rear upright 22h and 90b.

Moreover, Fig. 14 illustrates a pin or stop |32 inserted into a bore oi'the guiding rod 32 for abutting engagement with the rear edge of thecontrolling slide element 30h when the movable parts of the chair are inthe sitting position, so as to limit said sitting position. Such a stop|32 may be arranged in the chair, when the dimensions thereof aredesigned in such a way that, during the collapsing of the chair, theextreme right-hand position of the connecting slide block 84 slidablymounted on the same guiding rod 82 as the controlling slide element 90bis at the left hand side of the stop |32. Of course. if the stop |32 isarranged in the chair, the limiting means 46, |00 shown in Fig. 1 maybecome unnecessary.

Figs. 15-1'7 illustrate a different embodiment of the top connectinglink generally indicated by 62e, which may be used, if it is desired tohave a stop |32c cooperating with the controlling slide element 90 forlimiting the sitting position, when the dimensions of the chair are suchthat, during the collapsing of the chair, the connecting slide block 84ereaches a position 34e' (see Fig. 16) which is farther to the right thanthe rear edge of the stop |320. According to Figs. 15-17, the topconnecting link 62e comprises a member |34 substantially in the shape ofan inverted U, which is connected with the front portion |200 of the topconnecting link by screws |36. A wooden bar 66e forming the arm-rest ofthe chair is screwed to the upper surface of said member |34 by screws|33. A block `|4c having a bore 16e and forming a stop is arrangedwithin the member |34 at the rear end thereof and is secured to saidmember |34 by a screw |40. Furthermore, a block |42 provided with athreaded bore |44 and arranged within the member |34 is secured to thelatter by a screw |46. The threaded end of a first guiding rod |48passing through the bore 16e of the block l4c is threaded into thethreaded bore of the block |42. A connecting slide block 34e having twolugs |50 with bores for engagement with said first guiding rod |48 isslidably mounted on said first guiding rod |48. Said connecting slideblock 04o is provided with a bore |52 for a pivotal connection with theback-rest (not shown). Furthermore, a block |32c provided with a bore|54 and arranged within the member |34 is secured thereto by a screw|56; likewise, a block l3c provided with a threaded bore e and arrangedwithin the member |34 is secured thereto by a screw |58. Said blocks|32c and 18e form stops for the controlling slide element slidablymounted on a second guiding rod |60 passing through the bore |54 andscrewed into the threaded bore 00e. Thus, according to Figs. 15-17, theconnecting slide element 04e and the controlling slide element 90 arearranged on different guiding rods |43 and |60 respectively in such amanner, that they cannot interfere with each other during any movementof the movable elements of the chair. Furthermore, according to Figs.15-17, the two guiding rods |48 and |60 as well as the main portions ofthe slide elements are concealed by the wall of the member |34.

Fig. 18 illustrates a different embodiment of a rear connecting link orconnecting slide element 84d which may be used instead of the connectingslide element 34e shown in Fig. 15 or instead of the connecting slideelement 34 shown in Fig. 1. According to Fig. 18, the element 84d hastwo arms |5||d provided with bores for slidable engagement with theguiding element or atrasos guiding rod 02d of the top connecting link02d. Furthermore, said element 04d has a bore Illd for receiving thepivot connecting the element 04d with the back-rest (not shown in Fig.18). Moreover, the element 04d is provided with a housing |02 providedwith a longitudinal bore |04 having a threaded end for receiving a screw|00. A ball is arranged at the open end of the housing |02 opposite thescrew |00, and a spring interposed between said screw |00 and said ball|00 tends to urge said ball into a circular groove |12 arranged on theguiding rod 02d. As will be readily understood, the elements |00, |10,|00. and |12 form a spring stop tending to hold the back-rest in itsposition relative to the top connecting link, when the chair is set up.On the other hand, of course, the action of the rather weak spring |10may be readily overcome, when, for the collapsing of the chair, theback-rest and the connecting slide element 04d connected therewith areto be moved in right-hand direction as viewed in Fig. 18.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 19 illustrating a topconnecting link 02 and a controlling slide element 00 substantiallycorresponding to the arrangement and construction of these members shownin Fig. 2, a nose |14 is arranged at the front edgeof said controllingslide element 00. The top connecting link 02 is provided with a slot|10, and the arm-rest 00 has a recess |10. One end of a spring |80 issecured to the top connecting link 02 by means of screws |02, and a stop|04mounted on the other end of said spring |00 projects through saidslot |10 into the path of the nose |14 on the controlling slide element00. Fig. 19 illustrates the members of the chair in the sitting positioncorresponding to the sitting position shown in Fig. l. The elements |14,|04, |00 form a spring stop which prevents an automatic movement of themovable members of the chair from the sitting position shown in Fig; linto the reclined position shown in Fig. 0 by the action of the weightof the back-rest 00, when the user of the chair gets up from the chairand overlooks to hold the members of the chair in the sitting positionby means o1' the locking knob ||0 described above. Of course, the actionof the rather weak spring |00 of the spring stop may be readilyovercome, when the user of the chair resting in the chair leans theweight of his body against the back-rest, so as to bring the members ofthe chair from the sitting position shown in Fig. 1 into the reclinedposition shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 19, furthermore. illustrates limiting means |00. |00 for limitingthe sitting position, which may be used instead of the stirrup 40 andthe cross angle bar |00 shown in Fig. 1. Said limiting means comprise anose |00 mounted on the rear end of the controlling slide block 90 forcoaction with a stop |00 formed on the top connecting link 02. When themembers of the chair are in the sitting position, the nose |00 abutsagainst said stop |00.

It is understood, that a controlling slide element 00 according to theinvention must not necessarily be equipped with both the spring stop|14, |04, |00 and the limiting means |00, |00 as shown in Fig. 19. Ifdesired. only one of said two devices may be arranged on the controllingslide element 00.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a roller |00 cooperating with the guiding rod02 of the top connecting link 02e. which may be used instead of theslide elements shown and described in other figures, except for a slideelement equipped with a. locking device ||0 as described above.According to Figs. 20 and 2l. a screw |02 passing through bores of aclip or guide |04 partly surrounding the roller |00 and passing throughthe bore o! said roller |00 is secured to the backrest 00. When thechair is under load, the guiding rod 02 is pressed against the groove inthe roller |00. so that the roller may roll along the guiding roo. 02during movements of the movable members of tle chair. The upper portionof the clip or guide |04 embracing the guiding rod 02 prevents anundesired disengagement of the connecting element formed by said clip|04 from the guiding rod 02. if for example the chair is lifted bygripping the top connecting link.

The foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 substantially correspondsto the ioldable reclining chair shown in Figs. 1 and 8. so that it isunnecessary to describe the chair in detail insofar as the elements andtheir operations are the same as in the chair shown in said Figs. 1 and8. Hereinafter, only those parts will be described, which are not shownin Figs. 1 and 8 or differ from corresponding elements shown in Figs. land 0.

According to Fig. 22, the front connecting link 001' and the leg-rest041 form separate members, which are not rigidly connected with eachother. The front connecting link 00! and the leg-rest 04! are pivoted tothe front end of the seat 44 at 00. According to Fig. 22, the frontconnecting link 00) is provided with a controlling surtace in the shapeof a controlling lug |00, and the leg-rest 04j is urged against said lug|00 by means of a spring |00. Thus. when the movable members 00, 44,00j, 02 of the chair are brought from one position into another one. themovements of the leg-rest 04! are controlled by the iront connectinglink 00! through the medium of the lug |00. If desired, however, theleg-rest 04! may be disengaged from said lug |96 and may be brought, forexample, into the position 04]' shown in Fig. 22. wherein it may be heldby means of a lifting rod 200 slidably and adjustably arranged in theholding device 202 mounted on a lug 200 secured to the seat 44. Thelifting rod 200 may be held in its adjusted position by means of alocking knob 204. The operation and construction of the holding device202, 204 substantially corresponds to the locking device 90, ||0described above in connection with Fig. 4. The arrangement of adisengageable leg-rest controlled by a controlling surface in the shapeof a controlling lug on the front connecting link is described in detailin my co-pending U. S. patent application Ser. #559.752 filed on October21, 1944, for An Adjustable Reclining Chair," which case is nowabandoned.

The collapsing oi.' the foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 may becarried out substantially in the same manner as described above inconnection with Figs. 9-11 for the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 23 illustrates an intermediate position of the various members ofthe chair shown in Fig. 22 during the collapsing thereof. Said Fig. 23corresponds to Fig. 10. According to Fig. 23, however, the leg-rest 04jabutting against the lifting rod 200 is at an angle to the frontconnecting link 00]. During the further collapsing of the chair, themembers thereof are brought from the position shown in Fig. 23 into theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 24. Thereafter, the leg-rest 04jmay be gripped by hand and raised into the position ll!" shown in dashlines, I

whereupon the collapsed chair may be placed against the wall with theleg-rest contacting the wall, so that the spring |98 shown in Fig. 22cannot return the leg-rest into the position shown in full lines in Fig.24. If desired, however, holding means ol any kind may be arranged on asuitable member of the chair for holding the legrest in the positionshown in dash lines in Fig. 24, when the chair is collapsed.

When the foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 is to be set up, atfirst the leg-rest is brought from the position 54j" shown in Fig. 24into the full line position 54j shown in said Fig.

24, whereupon the setting up of the chair is carried out in the samemanner as described above in connection with Figs. l1 and 12 for thechair shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

Under certain circumstances the dimensions of the chair may require,that the element 18j (see Fig. 22) is at such a distance from thecontrolling slide element Sil, that it cannot be used as a'stop forlimiting the extreme reclined position of the movable members of thechair. In such a case, for example, a stop 206 may be arranged on therear upright 22 as shown in Fig. 22, against which the back-rest abuts,when it reaches the extreme reclining position 36'.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 25 the controlling element 90gslidably arranged on the guiding rod 82 of the top connecting link G2 ispivoted at 86 to the flattened end 2I|l of the front upright 26g. I I0indicates the locking knob as described above. According to Fig. 25 therear upright 22g is provided with a slot 2 I 2 at its lower side, and alug 2M secured to the front upright 26g is inserted into said slot 2|2and pivoted to the rear upright 22g at 32. A shoulder ZIB arranged atthe end oi the rear upright 22g for engagement with the front upright26g serves to limit the extreme spread position of the uprights as shownin Fig. 25. As will be readily understood, the front upright 26g may beswung about the pivot 32 for collapsing the chair. The embodiment shownin Fig. 25 may be arranged in the chair shown in Fig. 1 or in the chairshown in Fig. 22.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose oi illustration, andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion or arrangement ofparts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseherein shown and described. may be made without departing from thespirit and scope oi the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foldable reclining article of furniture, comprising: a. foldablesupport, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of saidpair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiftable andpivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support ata point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pairof links and the support, a front connecting link, the lower portion ofsaid front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi saidseat, the upper portion of said front connecting link being pivoted tosaid top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion ofsaid rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of saidback-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rearconnt.-

ing link and said top connecting link so as to render possible arelative movement between said top connecting link and said rearconnecting link during a setting-up of the article, the axis of saidlast-mentioned shiitable connection being eccentric to the pivotalconnection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest. and anabutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with saidrear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is movedrearwardly.

2. A foldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a foldablesupport including a pair of connected front legs and a pair of connectedrear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arrangedon a leg of one of said pairs of legs for abutting engagement with a legof the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread position ofsaid legs, a pair oi links, including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of saidpair oi links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiftable andpivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support ata point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pairof links and the support, a front connecting link, the lower portion oisaid front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of saidseat, the upper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted tosaid top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion oi'said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of saidback-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rearconnecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible arelative movement between said vtop connecting link and said rearconnecting link during a. setting up of the article, the axis of saidlast mentioned shiftable connection being eccentric to the pivotalconnection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest, anabutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with saidrear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is movedrearwardly, and an actuating element mounted on said seat, saidactuating element being capable oi' temporary cooperation with a frontleg so as to move same automatically from a collapsed position into aspread position, and said actuating element being arranged fordisengagement from said front leg when in the set-up article the frontleg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit free swingingmovements of said seat.

3. A foldable reclining article of furniture,

comprising: a foldable support, a pair of links including a seat and aback-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connectionbetween a link of said pair of links and said support, a top connectinglink, a shiftable and pivotal connection between said top connectinglink and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connectionbetween the link of the pair of links and the support, a frontconnecting link, the lower portion of said front connecting link beingpivoted to the front portion of said seat. the upper portion of saidfront connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rearconnecting link, the lower portion of said rear connecting link beingpivoted to an intermediate point oi said back-rest, a shiftableconnection between the upper portion of said rear connecting link andsaid top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movementbetween said top connecting link and said rear connecting link during asetting-up oi the article. the axis oi said last mentioned shiitabieconnection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between thc rearconnecting link and the back-rest, an abutment arranged on said topconnecting link ior engagement with said rear connecting link when theback-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardlv. and a leg-restpivoted to the iront portion oi said seat, said iront connecting linkbeing operatively connected with said leg-rest ior controlling themovements thereoi.

4. A ioldable reclining article oi furniture, comprising: a ioldablesupport including a pair of connected front legs and a pair oi connectedrear legs pivotallv connected with each other, limiting means arrangedon a leg ci one oi' said pairs oi legs ior abutting engagement with aleg oi the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread positionoi said legs, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-rest pivotaliyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link oi saidpair oi links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiitable andpivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support ata point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link oi the pairoi links and the support, a iront connecting link. the lower portion oisaid iront connecting link being pivoted to the iront portion oi saidseat. the upper portion oi' said front connecting link being pivoted tosaid top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion cisaid rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point i saidback-rest. a shiitable connection be tween the upper portion of saidrear connecting link and said top connecting link so as to renderpossible a relative movement between said top connecting link and saidrear connecting link during a setting-up oi the article, an abutmentarranged on said top connecting link ior engagement with said rearconnecting link when the back-rest oi the set-up article is movedrearwardly, an actuating element mounted on said seat. said actuatingelement being capable ci temporary cooperation with a iront leg so as tomove same automatically irom a collapsed position into a spreadposition, and said actuating element being arranged for disengagementirom said iront leg when in the set-up article the iront leg is in itsextreme spread position so as to permit free swinging movements of saidseat. and a leg-rest pivoted to the front portion of said seat,

fhsaid iront connecting link being operatively connected with said1eg-rest for controlling the movements thereof.

5. A ioldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a ioldablesupport including a pair oi nnected iront legs and a pair oi connectedrear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arrangedon a leg of one oi said pairs oi legs for abutting engagement with a legof the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread position ofsaid legs, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other. a pivotal connection between a link oi saidpair oi links and said support. a top connecting link, a first shiitableand pivotal connection between said iop connecting link and saidsupport, at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the linkoi the pair oi links and the support, a iront connecting link. the lowerportion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to the iront portionoi said seat, the upper portion of said iront connecting link beingpivoted to said top connecting link. a second shiftable and pivotalconnection between said top connecting link and said back-rest so as torender possible a relative movement between said top connecting link andsaid back-rest during a setting up oi the article, an abutment arrangedon said top connecting link for abutting engagement with shiitable meansof said ilrst shiitabie connection when the back-rest oi the set-uparticle is moved rearwardly, and an actuating element mounted on saidseat. said actuating element being capable oi temporary cooperation witha iront leg so as to move same automatically irom a collapsed positioninto a spread position, and said actuating element being arranged fordisengagement irom said iront leg when in the set-up article said irontleg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit iree swingingmovements of said seat. I

6. A ioldable reclining article oi furniture, comprising: a ioldablesupport including a pair of connected iront legs and a pair oi connectedrear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arrangedon a leg oi one of said pairs oi legs ior abutting engagement with a legoi the other pair oi legs, so as to limit the extreme spread positionoi' said legs, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-restpivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a linkoi said pair oi links and said support. a top connecting link, a firstshiitable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link andsaid support at a point spaced irom said pivotal connection between thelink oi the pair of links and the support, a iront connecting link, thelower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the irontportion of said seat. the upper portion oi said iront connecting linkbeing pivoted to said top connecting link, a second shiitable andpivotal connection between said top connecting link and said back-restso as to render possible a relative movement between said top connectinglink and said back-rest during a setting up oi the article, an abutmentarranged on said top connecting link ior abutting engagement withshiitable means oi said first shiftable connection when the back-rest oithe set-up article is moved rearwardly, and an actuating element mountedon said seat, said actuating element being capable of temporarycooperation with a front leg so as to move same automatically irom acollapsed position into a spread position, and) said actuating elementbeing arranged ior disengagement irom said iront leg when in the set-uparticle said iront leg is in its extreme spread position so as to permitiree ,swinging movements of said seat, and a leg-rest pivoted to theiront portion oi said seat, said iront connecting link being operativelyconnected with said leg-rest ior controlling the movements thereof.

7. A ioldable reclining article of furniture, comprising: a ioldablesupport, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link oi saidpair oi' links and said support, a top connecting link, a guiding rod,on said top connecting link, a controlling link, a pivotal connectionbetween the lower portion oi said controlling link and said support at apoint spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pairoi links and said support, the upper portion oi said controlling linkbeing slidably connected with said guiding rod on the top connectinglink, a iront connecting link. the lower portion of said frontconnecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi said seat. theupper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to said topconnecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rearconnecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point oi' saidback-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rearconnecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible arelative movement between said top connecting link and said rearconnecting link during a setting-up of the article. the axis of saidlast mentioned shiftable connection being eccentric to the pivotalconnection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest, anabutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with saidrear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is movedrearwardly, and cooperating resilient stopping means arranged on saidtop connecting link and said controlling link for holding the movablemembers of the set-up article in the sitting position.

8. A ioldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a foldablesupport, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of saidpair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a first guidingrod on said top connecting link, a controlling link, a pivotalconnection between the lower portion oi' said controlling link and saidsupport at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the linkoi the pair of links and said support, the upper portion of saidcontrolling link being slidably connected with said rst guiding rod onthe top connecting link, a front connecting link, the lower portion ofsaid front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of saidseat. the upper portion of said front connecting link being pivoted tosaid top connecting link, a second guiding rod on said top connectinglink, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rear connectinglink being pivoted to an intermediate point oi' said back-rest, ashiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connectinglink and said second guiding rod on the top connecting link so as torender possible a relative movement between said top connecting link andsaid rear connecting link the axis of said last mentioned shif tableconnection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between the rearcon- 16 necting link and the back-rest. and an abutment arranged on saidtop connecting link for engagement with said rear connecting link whenthe back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly.

9. A i'oldabie reclining article of furniture, comprising: a ioldablesupport, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotallyconnected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of saidpair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a guiding rod onsaid top connecting link. a controlling link, a pivotal connectionbetween the lower portion oi said controlling llnk and said' support ata point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pairoi' links and said support, the upper portion oi' said controlling linkbeing slidably con nected with said guiding rod on the top connectinglink, a front connecting link, the lower portion'o! said frontconnecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi said seat, theupper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to said topconnecting link, a roller rotatably mounted on an intermediate point ofsaid backrest, said roller being capable of rolling along said guidingrod, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagementwith said roller when the back-rest of the set-up article is movedrearwardly, and a guide securing the engagement oi said roller with saidguiding rod.

ANTON LORENZ REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe ille oi' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 2,1926 Number Number Certificate or Uorrecuon Patent No. 2,571,463 October16, 1951 ANTON LORENZ It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows:

Column 9, line 45, strike out overlooks to hold and insert insteadoverlooks to hold and that the said Letters Patent should be read ascorrected above` so that the ysame may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Oce.

,f Signed and sealed this 13th day of May, A.. D. 1952.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patenta.

